Dutch youngster on trial at Newcastle

Newcastle United have taken Dutch youngster Dani Koks on trial, according to De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verwij.

Koks spent last season playing for Ajax B1 and he was highly rated by the coaching staff, but he quit the Dutch club at the end of the campaign after becoming frustrated at their decision not to include him in the squad for the ABN AMRO Future Cup – a youth cup run by Ajax.

Koks looked set to join Willem II Tilburg after appearing in two friendlies, but Newcastle’s contacts in the Netherlands alerted him of Dani’s situation and the club offered him a life line.

The 17-year-old will spend time with Peter Beardsley and Joe Joyce over the next few weeks, who will then decide whether he deserves a contract based on his performance. 

Meanwhile, Newcastle are hoping to complete the signing of another Dutchman in the coming days – Georginio Wijnaldum. The 24-year-old’s representatives held talks with Newcastle over the weekend and the Magpies are now hoping for a positive response from Wijnaldum’s camp.

Wijnaldum will command a fee in the region of £15million, but Graham Carr and Steve McClaren are confident this deal represents good value for money.